Terrorism on India-Pak agenda for talks

Published: Monday, May 19, 2008, 4:22 [IST]

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New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) After many years, terrorism will again be high on the agenda of talks between India and Pakistan when the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries meet in Islamabad on May 20 to kick-start the fifth round of the Composite Dialogue Process (CDP).

For the past few years, energy security and economic development have dominated the talks although terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and Peace and Security Tulbul Navigation Project, economic and commercial relations and cultural exchange are part of the dialogue process.

The talks which will precede discussions between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries on May 21, will be held after a nearly two-year hiatus because of Pakistan's internal political developments.

The talks are being held in the backdrop of Jaipur bomb blasts which killed 63 people and wounded at least 100 others, and an encounter betwen militants and security forces in Samba district of Jammu region.

Foreign Secretary Shivshanker Menon, who will meet his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir on May 20, said terrorism would be ''very high'' on the agenda.

''Terrorism will be very high on the agenda,'' he said.

The two Foreign Secretaries will also review the four rounds of the CDP held so far.

Mr Menon said the two Foreign Secretaries are tasked to discuss Peace and Security and Jammu and Kashmir besides other issues under the CDP including Siachen and Sir Creek.

He said India always maintained that the end to cross-border terrorism was a pre-requisite to the peace process moving forward.

Asked about infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir, he said the government would deal with it bilaterally and on the ground.